Nasser Hussain: I can't work out Brendon McCullum's comments on Zak Crawley

After his two meagre efforts in the first Test against South Africa at Lord's (9 and 13), both head coach McCullum and assistant Paul Collingwood suggested that England do not seek "consistency" from the opener

Nasser Hussain has called on England to clarify exactly what they want from Zak Crawley at the top of the innings, and not give the batsman an easy excuse for failure.

Crawley's place in the side is the subject of constant scrutiny given his average (26.06) and run of form, which includes no scores above 50 in his past 14 Test knocks - and nine single-figure returns in that time.

After his two meagre efforts in the first Test against South Africa at Lord's last week (9 and 13), both head coach Brendon McCullum and assistant Paul Collingwood suggested that England do not seek "consistency" from Crawley.

McCullum said: "I look at a guy like Zak and his skillset is not to be a consistent cricketer. He's not that type of player but he is put in that situation because he has a game that means when he gets going he can win matches for England.

^{Zak Crawley is in a rut of form for England [Getty Images]}

"We have got to be really positive around the language we use with him and be really consistent with the selections around that as well and keep giving guys opportunities."

Hussain, the former England captain, has criticised the remarks.

Writing in the Daily Mail, he insisted that Crawley needs to know he is accountable for his performances, and expressed his worry that the coaching staff's public comments could lead to him not owning his future efforts with the bat. 

"If Crawley plays England will have to be crystal clear in what they want from him because for the life of me I can't work out McCullum's comments about not wanting him to be consistent," Hussain wrote. 

ZAK CRAWLEY'S SUMMER

1st Test v New Zealand: 43 & 9

2nd Test v New Zealand: 4 & 0

3rd Test v New Zealand: 6 & 25

Test v India: 9 & 46

1st Test v South Africa: 9 & 13 

"Surely you seek consistency from your players — that's what you strive for and that's what England get from the likes of Root and Jimmy Anderson.

"As it is this attitude gives Crawley a cop out. He might think 'maybe today's just not my day. My technique is not suited to being a consistent player'. 

"Instead his aim should be to do all he can to come through difficult situations and conditions when it's not his day. Test match cricket is about making an impact when it is tough and a grind."

England are due back in action from Thursday (August 25) at Emirates Old Trafford, where they will need to win to stand a chance of claiming the three-match series.

But the nature of the loss at Lord's was so substantial that a turnaround in fortunes would have to be quite dramatic to see off South Africa and their fearsome four-pronged pace attack.

^{Nasser Hussain wants clarity on England's expectations for Crawley [Getty Images]}

Hussain called for a return to the sort of displays which lit up the early summer, as New Zealand and India were beaten in style. 

"England should not get too down after one defeat and they should keep on backing the players they believe are the best at what they want to do," he wrote.

"It's not all doom and gloom. England should remember how they won those first four, recognise there were still areas to improve then and they are still there now, and go again.

"The mindset we all applauded after four wins will be tested but the last thing England need is to go back to fearful cricket."

Related Topics

• Brendon McCullum demands more aggression from England after Lord's defeat